Why Are Bug Remains Harder To Remove From....

[FoieGrasIsEvil]

…Lighter Colored Vehicles Than Darker-Colored Ones?

It’s summertime here at the carwash, and I see all kinds of cars covered in all kinds of bugs (and other shit, pun intended).

What I am wondering is: why are bugs harder to remove from white and silver-colored cars than they are black, dark blue and red cars?

You would think that the reverse were true due to the relative surface temperature of the painted surfaces…a darker car’s surface would be hotter, thereby baking the bug remains into the clear coat of the car all the more.

Or maybe a hotter car actually will “loosen” the bug remains, making them eaiser to remove?

Anyone have a clue?

[Olentzero]

Hypothesis: Darker-colored cars absorb more infrared radiation, making the surface of the car hotter and baking the surface gunk (insects, bird shit, tree sap) more thoroughly. Less moisture is retained in said surface gunk, drying it out more and reducing its adhesiveness. Surface gunk is therefore ‘dustier’ and easier to remove than their less thoroughly baked counterparts on lighter-colored cars, which retain more moisture and are therefore ‘gummier’.

[FoieGrasIsEvil]

@Olentzero

Hypothesis: Darker-colored cars absorb more infrared radiation, making the surface of the car hotter and baking the surface gunk (insects, bird shit, tree sap) more thoroughly. Less moisture is retained in said surface gunk, drying it out more and reducing its adhesiveness. Surface gunk is therefore ‘dustier’ and easier to remove than their less thoroughly baked counterparts on lighter-colored cars, which retain more moisture and are therefore ‘gummier’.

Good answer!